If your into the outdoors you likely have many different types of footwear, used for different applications such as specialist climbing shoes, worn a few sizes too small, feet crammed into the edges, designed to stand on small edges and holds, or mountaineering boots that are often a size too large to fit thick winter socks and have rigid soles for crampon attachment for specialised mountain conditions.
Much like these examples, barefoot shoes also have a specific application, the barefoot shoe industry is booming, and we are fortunate to have access to more and more designs for varying purposes and different applications from walking, trail running, gym shoes, to urban day to day comfort. I have a pair of Vivobarefoot Primus Trail III FG for trail running/walking, and the Vivobarefoot Magna FG as a day to day shoe and unless I'm after a shoe for a specific activity they are my go to shoes day to day.
My go to shoes for scrambling and hiking in good weather are the La Sportiva TX4 GTX hiking boots, these shoes have a wide toe box, which helps with the transition to barefoot shoes, as you quickly get used to having space for your toes to spread out.
Due to the wet weather that we have in the UK, especially in the mountains, a good pair of waterproof mountaineering or walking boots is essential, although at the moment these types of boots tend to have a narrow toe box and after living in barefoot shoes your feet can feel particularly squashed and uncomfortable in normal hiking boots.
Back to the Vivobarefoot shoes, these shoes are just a pleasure to wear, I like being able to feel the ground and can no longer do without the wide toe box, you feel more connected to the earth, without sounding too pretentious. I started wearing barefoot shoes after reading about the benefits, my main aim was to strengthen my feet and ankles and get as close to barefoot as possible, by transitioning to a zero drop shoe, large toe box and thin soles with no ankle support. And ideally moving away from traditional footwear that felt like my feet were being squashed and over protected.
A few years back, I suffered a severe ankle injury, but with daily strength exercises and a transition to Vivobarefoot shoes, my ankles and feet are feeling much stronger.
Walking in zero drop barefoot shoes allows you to feel the surface of the ground and spread your toes, Vivobarefoot shoes are foot-shaped, not shoe-shaped, allowing your feet to move naturally, they're lightweight, flexible, have a wide toe box and ultra thin soles and ultimately designed to be in balance with your body's biomechanics.
Having said that, I'd consider and transition carefully, to wearing barefoot shoes on hard flat surfaces for long periods of time, such as city streets. Modern footwear as we know it has leaned towards excess cushioning and rigid support for a reason, partly because without some form of cushioning, long distances, or prolonged periods on hard flat surfaces can be painful and not suited to our biomechanics. For this reason I frequently switch between different types footwear depending on the activity or situation, and my preference until recently was to have a cushioned shoe with arch support on long walks on hard flat ground.
Vivobarefoot Magna FG
This shoe is my go to shoe, due to its versatility, suitable as a day to day shoe, walking the dog to challenging mountain trails. The Magna FG is also an easy transition to barefoot footwear, it offers immediate comfort and perfect as a day to show that fits most situations. The sock ankle cover is made from merino wool, and it hugs your ankle. The sole is the same as the Primus Trail FG, so as well as normal day to this show is also perfect for use on the trail, although not suited for scrambling, I found there to be minimal traction and the rubber isn't sticky like approach shoes or climbing shoes.
These two models of Vivobarefoot shoes are designed to give you an enhanced connection to the terrain, that you come to expect and want from a barefoot shoe.
For some people it takes time to adjust to barefoot shoes, but for those familiar with flat shoes or in my case flip-flops, you may adapt very quickly, rather than weeks or months.
The minimalist design of the Magna FG and casual aesthetics have made it my go to shoes for day to day life, great with jeans and surprisingly look good with shorts too due to the tapered sock upper. These are my favourite shoes because of their versatility. However, due to the leather and sock they can become quite warm in hot weather, so I haven't tried them trail running during hot temperatures but expect they might get a bit too warm.
Vivobarefoot Primus Trail III FG
Designed specifically for trail running, these embody Vivobarefoot's "wide, thin, and flexible sole" philosophy. I have put the Primus Trail III FG on a rigorous test on long trails in damp and dry weather, clocking many kilometres, including extensive training running/walking.
The sole, much like the Magna FG offers outstanding protection on demanding terrain. It maintains remarkable rigidity for a minimalist shoe, allowing you to feel the ground while safeguarding against unforgiving rocks. The tread offers reliable traction on various terrains. This rigidity strikes a balance between ground feel and protection. Across a wide range of terrains, from packed dry tracks to muddy
trails, the Primus Trail III FG performs really well. It does lose grip in extremely muddy conditions, and I also wouldn't use them for scrambling as I found them a bit slippy, although they were not designed for that activity.
Comfort Over Long Runs/Walks
Both the Magna FG and Primus Trail FG II strike a good balance between minimalist shoe and ensuring comfort during long runs or walks. Some minimal shoes can lack underfoot cushioning but Vivobarefoot, or at least these two trail shoes strike a good balance, providing protection and a modest amount of protection. They are excellent choices for trail runners or hikers wanting minimal footwear for extended distances.
Durability and Performance
Where they diverge is in durability and performance. The Magna FG is a versatile all-rounder, ideal for day to day urban life and all terrain, walking, hiking and ideal in colder conditions. In contrast, the Primus Trail FG II is a purebred trail-running shoe, offering excellent ground feel, waterproofing and rugged reliability.
Waterproofing Comparison
Waterproofing is essential for me, so it was important to test how well these shoes could handle wet conditions on long runs or walks. The Vivobarefoot Magna FG and Primus Trail FG II offer different capabilities.
Primus Magna FG Waterproofing
The Magna FG, while a versatile and comfortable shoe for various terrains, it doesn’t have advanced waterproofing technology, so they did not hold up in prolonged wet conditions. While they hold up well in light rain for short periods, it struggles to keep your feet dry in sustained heavy rain or wet conditions. Therefore, the Magna FG is better suited for dry or mildly damp environments and is ideal in colder conditions when you need warmth more than waterproofing.
Primus Trail III FG Waterproofing
In contrast, the Primus Trail III FG is designed with trail running in mind, and this includes tackling wet and muddy conditions. While not entirely waterproof like traditional hiking shoes, the Primus Trail III FG offers better protection against moisture compared to the Magna FG. Its construction and materials make it more resilient in wet environments.
Final Thoughts
In summary, Vivobarefoot's Magna FG and Primus Trail III FG offer distinct experiences in the world of minimalist footwear. The Magna FG is a versatile shoe for both urban and outdoor adventures. In contrast, the Primus Trail III FG excels as a rugged trail-running shoe, with good waterproofing. Either way both encourage you to embrace the natural movement of your feet, connecting with the ground and building stronger foot mechanics. Hopefully this is a helpful comparison and/or an insight into my experience using these two shoe types.